David's Everest trek for Little Havens

A DAD has raised thousands of pounds trekking up the highest mountain in the world.

David Potter, 53, completed a gruelling 16 day trek up Mount Everest in the Himalayas for Little Havens Hospice, which cares for children with life-limiting conditions throughout the journey of their illness at the end of their lives by controlling pain and medication and offering respite.

David, from Brentwood visited Little Havens in Thundersley donning his full mountain climbing gear to present a cheque for £2,377 to Events Fundraiser Emma Hamilton along with member of the care team, Sandy Kleister and seven-year-old Katie Ward who is cared for by Little Havens.

David said: “It was a once in a lifetime experience and the euphoria of reaching the top is like nothing else. For me it’s the fact that you can get up and walk up a mountain and some people can’t.

"To you and me it’s a choice but some people don’t have that choice. We can create our own challenges and face our adversities whereas others aren’t able to.”

As part of a group of eight they had a guide, three support crew and six porters and together they walked for 10 days before reaching Everest base camp, 18,500ft above sea level, however after reaching the summit the group faced another six day decent.

Events Fundraiser Emma Hamilton said: “We don’t charge a penny for our care and that’s only possible because of fundraising by people like David who take part in some of our most challenging events.

"Huge congratulations and thank you from all of the children and their families at Little Havens, David’s trek will help us continue making every day count for children all across Essex.”